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Death Toll From Philippine Earthquake Continues to Rise

By

Josephine Cuneta

Oct 17, 2013 SGT

The death toll continued to rise as government disaster workers on Thursday reached isolated communities in earthquake-devastated Bohol, two days after a magnitude 7.2 quake hit the island province and other areas in the central Philippines.

Associated Press

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported on Thursday morning that the death toll rose to 156 people from the quake that scientists say had the force of 32 Hiroshima-level atomic bombs. Meanwhile, 374 people were injured. Disaster officials said more than 3.4 million people were impacted by the earthquake in the provinces of Cebu, Siquijor and Bohol.

The Province of Bohol, the epicenter of the temblor, was hit the hardest, accounting for 144 of the fatalities and all of the 22 people still missing.